From Seattle to Spain: How Rowing Shaped Tanner’s Path

Alumni Spotlight: Tanner Johnson (PYR ’22)

There’s a moment, looking back, when Tanner Johnson realizes just how much rowing shaped him - and how far it’s carried him from the docks of Seattle to the streets of Madrid.

Today, Tanner is living just outside Madrid, studying entrepreneurship through Arizona State University with a focus on supply chain and economics. His coursework dives into the global systems that move goods—and how industries like oil influence the future of international trade. He’s there through May, exploring, traveling, and now searching for an internship in Spain. It’s a big step. But for Tanner, stepping into the unknown isn’t new—it’s something rowing prepared him for.

Tanner first found rowing through his older sister, who joined a middle school program in 8th grade and quickly fell in love with the sport. She carried that passion all the way to college at the University of Wisconsin—until COVID brought her rowing journey to an unexpected pause.

At the time, Tanner was navigating a back injury that made many traditional sports difficult. Rowing offered something different. It met him where he was physically—and just as importantly, it brought him into a community where he felt like he belonged.

That combination made all the difference.

Because for Tanner, being part of the team wasn’t a given. The support he received through a scholarship wasn’t just helpful—it made it possible to stay.

“The willingness of the Pocock Foundation to help was amazing. It allowed more people to come into the community and made a real impact on who could stay—especially for younger athletes just getting introduced to rowing.”

That’s what access looks like—not just opening the door, but making sure young people can keep showing up.

Looking back, what Tanner carries with him most isn’t results—it’s what rowing built over time.

“Consistency in doing hard things became normal. It helped me understand what it takes to be successful—and to push through challenges.”

That mindset shows up everywhere now—living abroad, navigating complex coursework, and taking on challenges far outside his comfort zone, like a 40-day trek across Slovenia with fellow Pocock alumni.

Rowing didn’t just teach him how to work hard.

It taught him how to keep going.

And maybe most of all, it gave him a team that never really went away.

“You underestimate it in the moment. But it means so much more than you realize. I’m still talking with people from my team today—it never really leaves you.”

That sense of belonging—of being part of something bigger—continues to shape how he moves through the world.

Because rowing didn’t just prepare Tanner for competition, it helped him build independence. It helped him create structure, set expectations for himself, and develop the discipline to show up every day with purpose. It also opened doors—through connections, mentorship, and a broader understanding of what’s possible.

“There’s a difference between people who have rowed and those who haven’t. The mental toughness—and the community—it stays with you. And it shows up in everything, especially in work.”

Tanner credits the coaches who shaped his experience—from his early days as a novice to the mentors who built a culture of connection, accountability, and pride.

“Everyone is so tight in the community. I couldn’t be prouder to have been part of it.”

From Seattle to Spain, his story is a reminder of what’s possible when young people have access—not just to a sport, but to a team, a challenge, and a future they can grow into.

Because when you find your team, you don’t just discover what you can do.

You start to see where you can go.